Where Joy Abounds

Instead of come up with my own thought today I am going to share one of my many favorite inspirational thoughts from a book I created years ago of articles, letters, comic strips and photos of some of my favorite things. Enjoy....

Where Joy Abounds
Tucked away in our subconscious is an idyllic vision. We see ourselves on a long train journey. Through the windows we drink in the passing scene of cars on near-by highways, of children waving at us from a crossing, or cattle grazing on a hillside, or smoke pouring from a power plant, of row upon row of maize and wheat, of mountains and valleys, of city skylines and village huts.

But uppermost in our minds is our destination. On a certain day at a certain hour we will pull into the station. Then wonderful dreams will come true, and the pieces of our lives will fit together like a jigsaw puzzle. How restlessly we pace the aisles, damning the loitering minutes - waiting, waiting ...

"When I reach the station, that will be it," we tell ourselves. "When I'm 25, .." "When I buy a house, ..." "When I get married, ..." "When I've paid off the bank loan, ..." "When I get that big promotion, ..." "When I retire, I shall live happily ever after! "

Sooner or later we realize that there is no station, no place to arrive at once and for all. The true joy of life is the trip. The station is only a dream that constantly outdistances us.

"Relish the moment" is a good motto. So, stop pacing the aisles and measuring the distance. Instead, climb more mountains, eat more ice-cream, go barefoot more often, swim more rivers, watch more sunsets, laugh more. Live life as you go along, it will be spring.
by Robert Hastings

Keeping It Real

I just came home a little while ago from hanging out at "Galaxy Grill" listening to the band "Taylor Made" and trying to have some stimulating conversation over wine. Although I may seem to "have my shit together" and be so confident in my verbal communications I wonder how many people know how lonely it can be to live and/or strive to live consciously as much as possible every waking moment of the day as I often try to do. I know I don't have "THE ANSWERS" and I may just be "full of shit" but I am open to debate on a range of topics. I think the loneliness is from living/thinking outside of the box. The pain for me comes from my inability to stir people I encounter into engaging in some kind of thoughtful dialogue without being interrupted by some outsider who thinks I am agitating my respondent and trying to shut down or distract the exchange of words. It hurts to walk away feeling like I have somehow been dismissed and feeling alienated by my conversation.

My friends....please remember to be open to engaging in discussion that may be viewed as "upsetting, political in nature, and/or obscure to your present knowledge of the topic". Please be careful not to shut down or interrupt someone who is just expressing their own view (in a respectful manner) as this can cause people to shy away from important information that might just spur on the next (much needed) revolution or at least a social change. I work very hard at not making others feel stupid, disrespected or alienated because we need more people engaging in dialogue regardless of the view. People can always change their minds (I know I have).

In peace and love!!!!

Mindy

Help Me Find A New "Emma" Van.....

Friends...... Now that it is day 2 as a "blogger" I am now a "veteran" of this 21st century technology in the computer age. I have a need that I would like to get out to you all.

I am seeking to replace my "beloved Emma" mini-van in the next month for my adventure. This is what I am looking for..... in a perfect world: a mini-skoolie (school bus) powered by veggie oil and the exterior painted by children and artists who want to project the kind of world they want to live in (mural scene with words) and the bean bag chairs and space for my fair trade wares and tent inside.....in a less than perfect world: a mini-skoolie in reliable shape for less than $2,000 and in a world where I am grateful for having just what I need: a well-loved & taken care of cargo van that has plenty of room for me, my camping gear and fair trade stuff & tent that is less than $2,500.

I am very excited about the opportunities that will come my way to share fair trade and other impt. info to help people find solutions now for the challenges they may be facing today. I just found out that my coffee people from Sweetwater Organic Coffee Roasters (in Gainesville), Nora & Chris (he rocks as the BEST coffee roaster I know anywhere) are going to be in Long Beach, CA next week for the SCAA (Specialty Coffee Assoc. of America) annual convention and I will be in San Diego for a doctor's appt. for a few days during the convention time. I am going to drive up to Long Beach on Fri and Sat to see Nora & Chris and learn more about the WONDERFUL WORLD OF COFFEE (my favorite legal drug...heee heee). Hopefully all of you have caught "Black Gold" the phenominal documentary on PBS about coffee...the worlds second most traded commodity in the world... and the dire conditions coffee farmers live when they have to sell their beans at slave wages to the likes of Starbucks, Nestle, and Proctor & Gamble!!! When you buy fair trade cofee you say YES to quality coffee and economic/social justice and NO to yucky coffee and to corporate domination! : ) Your money is your voice and your vote...EVERY DAY...spend it wisely and in positive ways.

HAVE A BLISSFUL DAY!!!

Mindy

Conquering the Blog !!!

Hi friends... Well, here it is...the launching of my very own BLOG ! I wasn't confident I could make my own blog, but once again I underestimated myself ....I triumphed! : )

I hope you find my page interesting and enlightening as my summer plans unfold I will keep you all hopefully laughing at my adventures and misadventures! Create your own fun as well....no one likes to play alone (well...not all the time...heee hee).

I am getting geared up for this weekend....Melbourne Art Festival and my friend, Kevin at the ACLU office will be on the front balcony tabling and we'll be having a ball so please come by and say high! Festival is on Sat 4/28 and Sun 4/29!

Stay tuned for some activist news.....my friends....your help is needed!!! : )

Each One Teach One

Namaste'